Smith attracts interest from official sponsors
THE dramatic drop in star power donning the baggy green this summer has been highlighted by the fact at least one Cricket Australia sponsor has still attempted to use banned captain Steve Smith.
Cricket Australia has confirmed one of its official corporate partners inquired about the possibility of using Smith in promotional material, and the Mercury understands there may have been another sounding out the former skipper as well.
Interested sponsors have been told that there is nothing preventing them entering into a separate arrangement with Smith himself, but the fact he is in exile and doesn’t have a cricket contract automatically excludes him from use under any partnership agreements with CA.
When contacted, Smith’s manager Warren Craig declined to comment.
Smith’s individual deals with CA sponsors Weet-Bix and the Commonwealth Bank were ended in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal and won’t be reopened.
However, overall the public mood towards Smith and David Warner has softened as the year has gone on.
Some CA partners have already shot promotional material but other advertising shoots are scheduled over the next two weeks with brands such as Gillette, Alinta Energy and Woolworths.
The void left by Smith and Warner in the batting order is immense, but the loss of their instant marketability and star power is just as profound.
Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon shape as the most in-demand stars for official partners, but CA said others have been requested who are unavailable because of commitments overseas with Australia A in India or English county cricket.
“We try to work with our partners in the best way possible to deliver the players they request,” a CA spokesman said.
“In regards to the banned players, as they are not CA-contracted players, partners are welcome to contact their agents direct.”
Australia’s bankable stars for the summer are the bowling attack and captain Tim Paine, but all the batting spots are up for grabs.